Magomed Ankalaev Uncertain UFC Appreciates Him Ahead of Alex Pereira Title Fight
Magomed Ankalaev’s path to a UFC title shot has been far from smooth, but he’s determined to make sure his name is recognized after his upcoming fight with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at UFC 313. The two fighters will headline the event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, with Ankalaev (20-1-1 MMA, 11-1-1 UFC) looking to claim the gold after a prolonged wait for his opportunity.
Ankalaev’s title shot hasn’t come easily. He was originally slated to compete for the vacant title against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282, but the bout ended in a split draw, leaving the title undecided. Despite the hard-fought battle, the UFC moved forward with other plans, leaving Ankalaev waiting in line for his shot. It took three more bouts for him to earn his title opportunity once again.
In a recent media scrum in Las Vegas, Magomed Ankalaev expressed his frustration with the UFC’s handling of his title ambitions. “I don’t know if they appreciate me yet, but after this fight, they will make sure to appreciate me,” Magomed Ankalaev stated, speaking through an interpreter. His determination to prove himself and claim his place at the top of the light heavyweight division is evident, and he’s ready to show the UFC exactly what they’ve been missing.
For Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC), watching Ankalaev struggle to secure a title shot has been somewhat of a source of amusement. This delay has led Ankalaev to take more unconventional measures in his pursuit of the title, including using trash talk to get under Pereira’s skin. However, Ankalaev isn’t concerned with how his words affect his opponent.
“I don’t care how this affects him,” Ankalaev said regarding his trash talk toward Pereira. “I don’t care if he takes it personally. What I know is that we’re treating this fight as if it’s the last one ever. We’ll do whatever it takes to get this opportunity.”
Ankalaev’s emotions run deep when discussing his long road to the title. Despite being unbeaten in his last 13 fights and suffering only one loss in his career, the wait for a title shot has been mentally challenging. “A lot of emotions,” Ankalaev admitted. “Waiting is the worst thing you can do. You just sit there and you wait. Obviously, there was a little bit of frustration, but we’ve been asking for this and waiting for this. It’s just been a long time, but now we finally got this opportunity, and that’s behind us. We’re going to do whatever we can to make sure to get this victory.”
The uncertainty surrounding his title shot has only fueled Ankalaev’s drive. After months of waiting and campaigning, he’s focused solely on securing the victory he feels is long overdue. The stakes are higher than ever for the Dagestani fighter, and he’s prepared to leave it all in the octagon to prove that his patience—and his skill—are worth the wait.
As the fight draws closer, the anticipation is palpable. Ankalaev is fully aware of the significance of this moment and is determined to show the UFC, and the world, that he deserves to be at the top of the light heavyweight division. His journey has been a test of endurance, both physically and mentally, but now, the time for waiting is over. A title shot against a dangerous champion like Pereira is the culmination of a long road, and Ankalaev is ready to seize the opportunity.
With the fight just days away, fans are eager to see if Ankalaev can finally claim the recognition he believes he deserves. Will Pereira’s confidence in his hold on the title be shaken by Ankalaev’s relentless pursuit of glory, or will the champion prove that the long wait for Ankalaev’s shot was ultimately justified? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Ankalaev is going into this fight with everything on the line.
